HOLY COW!!!! (bear???)

Wow, they charged him. I wonder if the railing was really high or something and he wasn't in danger? If not, then this Sheriff's actions are a good reason for me not to spend my money by going to Gatlinburg...
 
I'm surprised they didn't charge him with shooting the bear. They're real protective of bears. We had a bear come on our property over a couple of days and do some damage, including eating one of our chickens. I happened to see a wildlife officer at Cabela's and asked if it was alright to shoot the bear since it was after our livestock. He said, Absolutely not! They're protected. Just chase it off. I was like, uh-huh. And thinking, you've just told what I would need to do, in case I doesn't scare off.
 
Also in Herschel's account is the very interesting story of Federal HST and what I euphemistically call the "ManBearPig" phenomenon.
 
Last edited:
Wow, they charged him. I wonder if the railing was really high or something and he wasn't in danger? If not, then this Sheriff's actions are a good reason for me not to spend my money by going to Gatlinburg...
He wasn't behind a railing from the way the story reads. The bear was on the second floor with him.
 
I don't think that charge is compatible with self defense. IIRC, at least in NC, a finding of SD protects you from discharge laws. Most cities and states specifically exempt you in the statutes. Just can't find Gatlinburg's online.


I'm surprised they didn't charge him with shooting the bear. They're real protective of bears. We had a bear come on our property over a couple of days and do some damage, including eating one of our chickens. I happened to see a wildlife officer at Cabela's and asked if it was alright to shoot the bear since it was after our livestock. He said, Absolutely not! They're protected. Just chase it off. I was like, uh-huh. And thinking, you've just told what I would need to do, in case I doesn't scare off.

If you are interested look into it here. I don't think that rabbit sheriff is exactly right. Elk are protected and one farming in Haywood county has killed about 6 of them on his farm.

https://www.ncwildlife.org/Problem-Wildlife/Wildlife-Damage-Control
 
Last edited:
I would hire an attorney, make a stink, force it to go to trial. Let a jury decide.

FWIW, my uncle, now retired, was a park ranger/game warden for a state park in northern Wisconsin. He could shoot deer year-round, simply because of the overpopulation. As for dangerous animals, about once a year they'd have someone local kill a bear that was threatening. He never wrote a ticket. He said that it wasn't fair to assess whether something was a threat after the fact.
 
I've often wondered about what would happen in my town if a rabid coyote comes down the street and there are kids playing. In any other world that isn't INSANE, I would shoot the dog to protect the kids. In this INSANE world, I would have to weigh whether or not I should let the coyote actually bite on of the kids first in order to garner some sympathy from the law and maybe not get charged for discharging a firearm within city limits.
 
There are billions more humans than bears. I'll go with the bear. :D

Bears are notorious for bluff charges but black bears can be down right mean when they get habituated to people, trash, and food. Throw a barking dog into the mix and the fight is on. Gatlinburg, Asheville, and other areas where city folks have moved into bear country and hate hunting and firearms are the source of the problem.

I've had bears bluff charge me on several occasions and they always stopped at 2 or 3 feet. They probably got a whiff of my drawers at that point. :eek:
 
Charged with reckless endangerment and unlawful discharge? Even if his account of the situation is embellished a little, I highly doubt that will stand. As already mentioned, if it was in Self Defense those charges will have to be dropped.
 
Well if a bear gets to within 3 or 4 feet I'm bluffin it in the head.

I'm not waiting that long. If an animal that can cause me great bodily harm makes an aggressive move towards me I'm gonna pull the trigger until it either stops or it gets me. That includes large breeds of dogs. Yeah, it might be a bluff, and it might not be. I'm not going to be the test subject.
 
I've often wondered about what would happen in my town if a rabid coyote comes down the street and there are kids playing. In any other world that isn't INSANE, I would shoot the dog to protect the kids. In this INSANE world, I would have to weigh whether or not I should let the coyote actually bite on of the kids first in order to garner some sympathy from the law and maybe not get charged for discharging a firearm within city limits.
Naaaah, smoke that varmint and then go all Atticus Finch on them if you're charged! :D
 
There are billions more humans than bears. I'll go with the bear. :D

Bears are notorious for bluff charges but black bears can be down right mean when they get habituated to people, trash, and food. Throw a barking dog into the mix and the fight is on. Gatlinburg, Asheville, and other areas where city folks have moved into bear country and hate hunting and firearms are the source of the problem.

I've had bears bluff charge me on several occasions and they always stopped at 2 or 3 feet. They probably got a whiff of my drawers at that point. :eek:

And in other black bear news...

A black bear approached guests near Monterrey, Mexico, the Herald Publicist reports. The animal was apparently looking for food at some nearby trash cans when it sneaked up on some visitors.

Footage of the incident shows the large animal walk up behind the guests, stand up on its hind legs and then start brushing a woman’s hair. The animal then calmly sits back down, much to the guests’ surprise.
 
Back
Top Bottom